Hayden Paddon has overcome a driveshaft problem in his Hyundai i20 AP4 to take a convincing lead at the end of day one of the Winmax Brakes Otago Rally, the opening round of the 2022 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship. Paddon and co-driver, John Kenndard won all but one of the day’s seven stages to finish the day with a big lead of over three minutes.
“Today has been a little bit troublesome,” commented Paddon. “I felt a bit rusty this morning which took a couple of stages until I found a rhythm. Then we broke a driveshaft so did a stage in three-wheel drive.
“This afternoon started to go better and then 10 km from the end of the last stage we puncture and drove out on it. It was tricky because we knew it was a power stage and we need as many points that we can get this year as we don’t know how things will play out.”
Second place is held by the factory-backed Skoda Fabia R5 of former champion Ben Hunt, while Dunedin’s favourite daughter, Emma Gilmour, is third in a Suzuki Swift AP4
“The last few days I’ve been pretty nervous,” commented Hunt. “Tony and I are growing with it. We have a few things to work on particularly with pace notes but all in all it’s been a pretty awesome day.”
The opening day of the 2022 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship was held in perfect weather conditions. There were clear blue skies, and a swift breeze to blow the dust away on the dry, barren stages to the north east of Dunedin.
As the day wore on, the gap between the dominant Paddon and his rivals seemed to close slightly, with both Hunt and Stokes upping their pace, particularly on the final stage of the day.
Still, it will take a major issue for the Cromwell-based former WRC star to relinquish the lead on the second day.
Gilmour will take plenty of confidence from here opening eight stages. She was second early on, but dropped to third behind Hunt, but remains well with striking distance of her rival.
Raana Horan is a further 25 seconds behind Gilmour in fourth place, with Ari Pettigrew in a Holden Barina AP4 just 2.1 seconds back in fifth.
Robbie Stokes has had driveline issues in his Ford Fiesta AP4, but is still sitting in sixth place. He’s than a minute back from the podium places, so will be pushing hard on the final day in his bid for NZ championship points.
The top 10 after Day 1 is rounded out by Todd Bawden (Ford Fiesta), Regan Ross (Ford Fiesta), Dylan Turner (Audi S1) and Mike Young (Subaru).
The factory supported Toyota Yaris AP4 of Jack Hawkeswood is back in 16th place after losing over five minutes earlier in the day.
Matt Summerfield was the major retirement from the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship field. His Mitsubishi Mirage AP4 suffered a turbo failure on stage one, but he hopes to return for tomorrow’s final eight stages.
The second day of the Otago Rally will feature eight stages, with a competitive distance of 133km, starting at 7.30am. The itinerary includes some of the sport’s most famous stages, including Waipori Gorge, Whare Flat and Kuri Bush.
The podium presentation will be in the seaside village of Brighton at 3pm.
Rally Otago Day 1 Results (Top 15)
Position, Driver/Co-Driver, Car, Time
1/ Hayden Paddon/John Kennard, Hyundai i20 AP4, 1:05:11.5
2/ Ben Hunt/Tony Rawstorn, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, 1:08:17.0
3/ Emma Gilmour/Mal Peden, Suzuki Swift AP4 1:08:27.4
4/ Raana Horan/Michael Connor, Skoda Fabia R5 108:53.1
5/ Ari Pettigrew/Jason Farmer, Holden Barina AP4 1:08:55.2
6/ Robbie Stokes/Amy Stokes, Ford Fiesta AP4 1:09:17.7
7/ Todd Bawden/Paul Burborough, Ford Fiesta R5 Mk II 1:09:35.4
8/ Regan Ross/Katrina Renshaw, Ford Fiesta R5 1:09:48.9
9/ Dylan Turner/Jeff Cress, Audi S1 AP4, 1:09:58.0
10/ Mike Young/Amy Hudson, Subaru Impreza WRX, 1:11:00.8
11/ Glenn Inkster/Spencer, Winn Mazda 2 AP4 1:12:19.2
12/ Marcus van Klink/Dave Neill, Mazda RX8 1:12:26.9
13/ Jeff Ward Murray O’Neil, Subaru, Impreza WRX 1:12:31.3
14/ Ray Casey/Jimmy Martin, Subaru Impreza Sti 1:13:01.5
15/ Duncan McCrostie/Samantha Gray, Mazda 2 AP4 1:13:49.5
Comments